740.0011 European War 1939/33088: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Walton)
17. The Department has now been informed by the Navy Department reference your telegram no. 16 January 16, 10 a.m. and Department’s [Page 506] no. 9 January 28, 8 p.m., that American naval forces in the Atlantic Ocean are disposed in areas where it is considered they will be most effective in finding and destroying German naval forces. A commitment to the Government of Liberia to provide naval vessels for the particular purpose of giving additional protection and control of coastal waters of Liberia is considered undesirable. American naval forces operating against German naval forces anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean contribute to the protection of the coast of Liberia.
The War Department states that it does not object to the establishment of direct telephone communication between the Liberian Central Government at Monrovia and Headquarters, United States Army forces in Liberia. However, the United States Army cannot provide supplies nor undertake installation operation or maintenance of such a line.